Improvement in saddle-trees



P. BECKER.

Saddle-Trees.

Patented Feb. 11,1873

74 12;; sses 77 wa /004% W UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PHILIP BECKER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SADDLE-TREES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 135,755, dated February11, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PHILIP BECKER, of the city and county ofPhiladelphia, State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in SaddleTrees and I do hereby declare the following to be aclear and exact description of the nature thereof, sufficient to enableothers skilled in the art to which my in vention appertains to fullyunderstand, make,

and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing makingpart of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a side view of thedevice embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a top view thereof. Fig. 3 is abottom view thereof. Fig. 4 is an end view of a transverse section inline a: m, Fig. 2 or 3.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the severalfigures.

This invention consists of a saddle-tree whose entire parts-namely, thehead, points, bars, seat, and cantle--are constructed of leather. Italso consists in a saddle-tree constructed of leather, in connectionwith stiffening bands and springs. It also consists of the seat formedof overlapping pieces.

Referring to the drawing, A represents a saddle-tree, consisting of thehead B, points (3, bars D, seat E, cantle F. These parts are constructedsolely of leather, and united by suitable stitching, screws, and similarfastenin gs. A tree thus constructed is light, strong, and elastic, andcheaper than if made of materialsnowinuse. Itcanbeproducedthroughout bythe saddler. It will conform to the shape of the animal, and yield topermit the rider to sit comfortably on the saddle. There is no liabilityto breakage from hard usage, falls, or blows.

In order to cause the front end of the tree to retain its proper shape,and be properly strengthened, I arrange and secure on the under side ofthe head and points a transverse band, G, and. on the upper side of thehead a band, H. The ends aof the bands G are made elastic to permit thepoints to expand or spread to conform to the shape of the animal. Thecantle will be braced by a band, J, so that the weight of the rider willnot flatten the same. On the under side of the bars D there are placedsprings K, which extend longitudinally, and have their ends respectivelysecured to the bars at the front and rear thereof, so that the mainportion of the springs is permitted to yield to the vertical strain onthe tree, whereby the latteris strengthened at its center, yet is fullyelastic, and always retains or assumes its proper shape. The seat Econsists of two longitudinal pieces, L L. These pieces extend from thehead to the cantle, and one 7 piece overlaps the other, as at M, eitherthe entire or partial length of the pieces, one piece movingon orsliding over the other piece when weight is placed on the saddle, andcontinuing this sliding or riding operation during the movements of theanimal, whereby crimping or gathering of parts, and chafing and rubbingof both rider and animal, are overcome.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The saddle-tree constructed of leather, in connection with thesprings K and stiffening end braces or bands, substantially as setforth.

2. The saddle-tree having its seat E constructed of overlapping pieces LL, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

The above signed by me this 21st day of November, 1872.

PHILIP BECKER.

Witn asses:

JOHN A. WIEDERsHEIM, MLLLARD L. WALTON.

